Minnesota (Not) in DC Headlines

Minnesota is facing a potential government shutdown; the deadline for brokering a deal in order to avert a shutdown is June 30th. I am an avid reader and try to stay current of national events; I have heard no one in Washington mention the situation in Minnesota. It appears to have escaped the attention of anyone in DC. It amazes me and makes me wonder if other states are having similar issues. Washington is so focused on the consequences of the debt extension and raising the debt ceiling by August 2nd, I wonder how many states are facing difficulties.

Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota has been making the headlines. She impresses me. I think she is disciplined and determined to be a serious presidential candidate. Some candidates can be lazy. In the past, there have been presidential candidates that were not willing to put in the work to get their party’s nomination. Candidates can be intellectually lazy or not willing to put in the gruesome efforts that are required on a daily basis to obtain the nomination and ultimately, the Presidential office. On the Republican side right now, there are candidates not as focused as they need to be campaign-wise. It has been easy to dismiss Michelle Bachmann but I am impressed with her discipline. The Republican field is shaping up to be an interesting race and will be fun to watch.

Weekend Retreat with Republicans Well Worth the Effort

I attended a retreat this past Saturday. I had both a difficult and reassuring experience. About 40 people attended the retreat, including around 10 Members. There were also a number of telecommunication executives. I felt like the red haired kid in the room. It was daunting to bring up Community Action and poverty programs. This has happened to me before among the powerful – or would be powerful. On both the Democrat and Republican side, poverty is an issue that they do not care about right now. That sentiment was made clear to me, not by Members, but by the other guests.

At the same event, I was reminded of the friends Community Action has. I find when you win over a Republican Member, particularly in the House, you have probably won them over for life. When a Republican Member offers their support for Community Action – and when they have been thanked and have a good agency in their district – they stick with us through thick and thin. It was reassuring to be reminded of this Saturday. That is not always the case on the Democratic side.

Saturday’s event ended up being about 450-miles round trip and a 21-hour day. In the end, I spent about 20 minutes with a couple of key Members of Congress. As I reached home early Sunday morning, I asked myself if the day had been worth the effort. My answer was yes. It takes extraordinary efforts by all of us to get through these difficult times. The next question I asked was does Community Action have people willing to continue making these kinds of efforts moving forward. I do not know the answer to that question but it does cross my mind a lot lately.

Standing on a Precipice

During the past week, I have heard both House Democrats and House Republicans lay out their scenarios of how the debt ceiling and deficit reduction talks will evolve. Both sides are pessimistic about reaching any kind of agreement before the August 2nd deadline. The easy part of the deficit reduction discussion is done – Congress agreed on domestic discretionary cuts over the next ten years. The next part of the conversation, over security and entitlement spending, will be more difficult.

On Friday, I had breakfast with a senior house democrat in leadership. This Member is very familiar with the negotiations. He told me he thought there would be serious financial implications for the world as a result of the debt ceiling not being addressed by August 2nd. Saturday, I went to a Republican retreat where I spent time with a number of senior House Republicans. They shared their forecasts. Their best guess is that the first time something is introduced; the House will not reach agreement. There will be tension, some give and take for a week, and then an agreement will be reached. One Member likened it to the TARP bailout.

Does anyone remember what happened in that situation? Congress defeated the bill the first time it was introduced; the stock market plunged 500 points. Congress passed a bill a week later and the stock market plunged again.

The absence of a deficit reduction and debt extension agreement will have an impact on the House appropriations mark up. Everyone knows the Labor HHS needs money to stave off deep cuts. Everyone is counting on an agreement, as difficult as it may be, to provide some additional resources. As of right now, skepticism about an agreement being reached dominates. That sense of doubt changes the dynamics.

Anticipation

I am thinking more and more about the problems posed by the appearance that the Administration anticipates there will be no CSBG program in the not too distant future. Certainly, HHS is acting as though the program is going away. People have made comments to me that the Administration directed them to assume zero funding for CSBG. Our job is to make sure that Congress disagrees with this position and adequately funds the program.

Let’s assume that Congress does fund CSBG despite the White House’s position. They have done so in the past. How will the Administration respond and be prepared for that situation? I am spending more time thinking about that lately. The result could be an awkward funding process later this year.

Trust Everyone but Cut the Deck

I want to encourage CAAs to stay on top of their state planning process right now. Community Action needs to follow state hearings and monitor the planning process very carefully. Former Republican Congressional Member Weicker from Connecticut had a saying: trust everyone but cut the cards. CAPs need to take this heart. Trust everyone; assume everyone is your friend. Be diligent though with watching 2012 funding. Some states may try to establish wide latitude with administrating the CSBG program. States may want try to allow for flexibility with goals that are not part of CSBG. It is very important at this time – locally in terms of monitoring states and nationally with Congress – to ensure the integrity of the program remains intact.

On a different note, I was in Houston last weekend at a fundraiser sponsored by Black Elk Energy. The founder of Black Elk wanted to give back to the people of Louisiana, particularly post Katrina, and decided to do so through CAPs. It was a remarkable event – and not just because it was about 115 degrees. A few thousand people attended. The event raised about $200,000 for Louisiana CAPs. Jane Killen and her team in Louisiana have a lot to be proud of. They have the confidence and respect of a corporate partner that resulted in a very enjoyable and beneficial event.

The Visibility of CSBG

One of the more pleasant surprises about the Administration’s position on CSBG is that it has brought awareness to our program and engaged a number of Members of Congress. There has been a steady stream of Senators calling my office, wanting to get together – usually one on one or with their Chief of Staff – to walk through the politics of CSBG. They want to understand our programs and to know where they can be helpful. The Administration’s position has strengthened and deepened my relationship with many Members. Every time I sit down with a Senator and hear their level of commitment to our program, despite the Administration’s position, I feel that we will succeed.

The downside is that I continue to hear from Members, from both sides of the aisle, that their local CAA is not visible. Recently, a Senator said to me that CSBG has not come up during talks with mayors from his home district. I have heard this same concern repeatedly. Members want CAAs to be more visible in their communities. Whether this lack of visibility is the result of an actual lack of Community Action not being visible at the local level or the result of our agencies running in different circles than Senators, it poses a problem for us. CAAs need to reinforce our presence and our message within local communities.

The Best Congress Can Offer?

I ran across a figure recently. Congress has cleared 14 bills in five months of this legislative year. Only 14 bills have been sent to the President. Of course, one of those was the Continuing Resolution. There were a couple of other bills, most of them minor ones. Fourteen bills in five months. No wonder the country is frustrated with Congress. They do not appear to be doing much.

Last week I was talking with some lobbyists. I think the majority of them were probably Democrats but I am not sure. They were all hoping – nearly every one of them – for gridlock. They thought a standstill was the best outcome for this year. I think something is wrong with Washington when the best a person can hope for is for nothing to happen. I really believe the country expects more. It certainly is a different point of view to be hopeful for nothing to be done.

I hope Congress get things done. I do not know how Members will reach a non-partisan or a bipartisan solution to the many issues facing them. I certainly do not have the answer – I think it remains elusive to many. However, to hope that at the end of the day nothing happens is not good for the country. It reminds me how far we have gone in the world and how much the world has changed in the last decade.

Administration Guidance for CSBG

Last week, the White House sent state administrators guidance regarding the 2012 CSBG plans that states have to submit to OCS by September 1st. The Administration asks states to assume a 50% cut and to make competition a part of their state plans. The assumption made is that there will be a significant cut to CSBG dollars and that funding be based on performance. The Administration wants to make changes to the program that Congress has not agreed upon. I think Congress will have some problems with that guidance.

Every time I travel, I can count on meeting with a CAP agency from the state or region. In recent trips, I have been seeing the totality of the budget cuts as experienced by agencies – budget cuts that extend beyond CSBG, WX or LIHEAP. I have seen all programs facing budget cuts. I have seen layoffs throughout agencies. In particular, I have seen smaller agencies really having a hard time. All these agencies have been saying the same thing: demand for services is up, the economy is not getting better, and funding is on the decline. Local and state funding is drying up and the need for federal resources is greater, yet that funding is on a downward projection as well.

This is very frustrating to me. We are pedaling as fast as we can, doing everything we can, yet we cannot keep up with the needs in local agencies. I am leaving meetings depressed because I know that it is a zero sum game. In conversations with Congressional Members, there is no room to mention how much CAPs have added to programs or services. The conversation is focused on how much to cut budgets, regardless of the need.

CSBG Funding Vulnerable

Appropriations season is coming into full bloom here in DC and the second wave of budget discussions are coming at us. Members are starting to look at numbers and they appear stunned by the Administration’s CSBG budget number. It comes up in meetings with Members all the time and is an unfortunate, complicating factor.

I met last week with a Republican friend, a senior House Republican on the Appropriations Committee. It was a terrific meeting with a Republican friend and his Deputy Chief of Staff. The meeting lasted 40 minutes during which we strategized about CSBG funding. As I was walking out, our friend told me this would be much easier if President Obama had not recommended the cut.

The Administration’s budget gives Members an easy out for not taking positive action. Republicans and Democrats alike reference it. The Republicans blame the President. They say they would like to restore funding but with Obama singling out CSBG, it will be difficult. On the other hand, the Democrats point at the other side of aisle and say the Republicans could easily reject the proposed budget by the Administration, as they have with many other things proposed by this White House.

The responsibility lies with the President’s budget. To restore CSBG funding, Congress will have to add money to Obama’s budget recommendations – which they are unlikely to do. We will overcome this, but I believe it is likely to be part of our legislative landscape for as long as Obama is in the White House. We face it in this calendar year and we will face it again next calendar year when Congress debates the 2013 spending bills. We potentially will face it for four years after that.

Programs for low-income populations in particular are taking a hit during appropriations discussions. The low-income are the most vulnerable in our society and the programs that serve them are the most vulnerable in the budget wars.

What Happened to all those Green Collar Jobs?

We have had a real awakening on Weatherization this past week. The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee funded Weatherization for 2012 at $33 million. Members assume there are still stimulus dollars out there. There was a real fear that WX funding would be zeroed out – and everywhere we turn it appears that this funding is still in play. Even Democrats question the value of the program. Supporters in Congress question the level of support for the program from DOE, especially among higher ups in that agency. There have been only a handful of problems with the program, yet those problems take the spotlight during conversations about the program.

There was talk at one point by the Administration about Green Collar Jobs. Weatherization was going to create a career path into this new industry. These green jobs would not be just for low income but for middle income jobs. The program would serve not just low income but all communities. This has not happened. Expectations for the future of Weatherization – and all the possibilities it offers – have been short circuited.

Appropriations Season

We are entering into appropriations season and I have a number of meetings scheduled with Members, particularly regarding CSBG. It has been good to meet with our network's traditional friends. They remain rock solid in their support of Community Action. I think we are fortunate that we have established good relationships with key members in Congress. These members have great relationships with their local CAPs. I see many key appropriators we have known for years and they love their local agencies in their home districts. They continue to be good friends of ours and this gives me hope that we can withstand a very difficult year.

The extreme partisanship strikes me as getting worse instead of getting better right now. I want CSBG to be a nonpartisan issue but I find I difficult with members - on both sides - readily attacking the other party. Last week was disappointing, more so in the House than the Senate. The conversation turned partisan in an instant. It makes it very difficult for me and puts me in an awkward situation.

We hosted a lunch for Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island. He is a terrific Senator. He is one of the most capable individuals in the Senate. I continue to be impressed with Senator Whitehouse and I think his future is unlimited. One of the highlights of the lunch was the good conversation I had with Whitehouse and Senator Sherrod Brown. We discussed poverty issues, policy and a little bit of baseball. The conversation reminded me of the quality of individuals in the Senate. I think the press does an extreme disservice by portraying Members as lightweights or anti-Washington. There are a lot of good Members in both the House and Senate.

Remembering Bobby Kennedy

It was 43 years ago today that Robert Kennedy died. He was shot June 5th; he passed away the next day. Every year on June 6th I think about Bobby Kennedy – how he talked about poverty, bridging the gap between the rich and poor, between blacks and whites, old and young. I have not seen that kind of appeal in the 43 years since. I strongly recommend a terrific book called The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America by Thurston Clarke.

Bits and Pieces

Somebody sent me a picture of Senator Tom Harkin speaking at a NCAF Legislative Conference over 25 years ago. It took me a while to recognize him but it took me even longer to recognize myself. It must have been from the early 80s. I like getting photos like these. It reminds me of how quickly time passes. They also remind me of how some Members of Congress have been our champions for years. It was good to receive this photograph.

Recently, I was up in Manchester, New Hampshire visiting with the Southern New Hampshire University's M.S. in Community Economic Development program. The quality of students impressed me. We currently have 13-14 students and I look forward to expanding the program. All in all I think the Community Action students enrolled in the program are doing our network proud. Their curiosity, knowledge and initiative will contribute to the CAP network.

I look forward to seeing some of you at the Emerging Leaders workshop in July in Florida. If ever there is a time I need to talk with you, that time is now. One of the most difficult aspects of my job is that I need to be able to sit down and talk things through. I am counting on Emerging Leaders to explain the nuances and considerations of our programs. I am hopeful for a good turnout. There will be a lot to discuss.

We are nearing completion on the details of a solar energy initiative. Expect to hear more about this program mid-June.

Misperceptions Have Taken Root

I talked in the past about the emotional roller coaster ride this job can be at times - the good meetings, the bad meetings, the meetings I am less than satisfied with. I am experiencing this right now with Weatherization. I am spending much of my time during meetings addressing myths about Weatherization. Congressional members, even Community Action friends, have told me they understand that billions of ARRA WAP dollars are still sitting in bank accounts. In fact we have spent about 2.9 billion and in a number of key states WAP is going to complete the program before March 30th of next year. I am spending a lot of time going through these details. It is amazing the myths and misconceptions that have taken root regarding Weatherization stimulus funding.

Budget mark ups start today. I think we are making progress but I am still nervous. We are racing against the clock, visiting as many members as we can, making the best arguments we can. We know that Weatherization remains a big target for many people in DC, including the conservative media.